by Penny Knight
“Leo, just Leo,” he says. “Are you ok?” his concerned voice rings out.
I look to Topher and our eyes catch, and then his eyebrows furrow. Oh no, he can see something is wrong with me. That’s all I need, a worried Topher. My eyes water. The pain is worse than before.
“Elita, what the hell. Are you ok?” Topher stands. He did it again. He gave out our real names.
“Yes, fine. You go with Leo and get us checked in,” I snap.
The room is closing in. Swallowing is hard and darkness is creeping in. A hand grabs my arm. Pain shoots through me and my knees wobble.
I look to see Leo is holding me upright. “You need to let go of me,” I grit out, trying to plead with my eyes. Can’t he tell he’s the one doing this to me?
“I can’t,” he says. His eyes trained on my tattoo. “Your neck is red. Your mark is glowing.”
What, glowing? Someone help me make him let go. His hand traces up my arm, the room darkens until his fingers land on my mark, then nothing.
Darkness envelopes me and I’m out cold.
I have been here before. Many times. The light is so bright, it’s burning. Looking down, I see lush green grass. The dream. I’m back here again.
“Concentrate,” the grey-haired lady appears in my mind. “Shield your eyes. Let it in slowly. You will see it. You will,” she says.
This is what she meant. Right here, right now. In this moment, when the piercing light hits my eyes, I need to concentrate. With both hands, I cover my eyes. I look forward slowly, spreading my fingers inch by inch. The brightness punches through. It attacks my senses, but not as debilitating. With the darkness from my hands, it refreshes me.
I need to concentrate, I can do this. I open more. Growing more confident. More determined. My eyes adjust. I see something out in the distance. Is it a tree? It could be. It’s still bright. I blink a few times. When I open them again, I can see. I can see it all.
Home, that is what it feels like. It’s a feeling that washes through my veins. Calm sweeps over me, as I take in the luscious greenery. I’m being pulled to the lonesome tree, in the middle of a large field surrounded by a fence framed with old rusty wire.
There is nothing scary here, no pain, no sounds. No birds chirping. It’s quiet, peaceful. I can feel the wind on my face, and the silent air cleanses me.
Something is there, by the lonely tree. A figure. The shadow by the tree grows clearer as I approach. The figure of a child. A small girl. She senses when I approach and turns. The air leaves my lungs, and I am stilled.
The child, no older than five, with long brown hair and deep blue eyes. So beautiful, yet so familiar.
“It’s time, Mother.” She reaches out for me.
Mother?
“Time for what, Anna?” I say, taking her delicate hand.
How do I know her name?
“Everything,” she says, pulling me down to sit with her, under the tree. “I’ve been waiting a long time for you here.” My heart aches at the thought of her alone. The field is stunning, but I don’t want her by herself.
“You can’t stay here for long. You have to go back soon.” Sadness flickers in her eyes. Just for a moment.
“Anna, I don’t understand. Why weren’t you with me when I was alive?” I must have died. Is this Heaven? I don’t remember ever being pregnant. I would know, wouldn’t I?
“You are alive, silly,” she giggles. The sweet sound stops all too short. “We don’t have much time. You need to know, it’s not your fault. Everything will change for you now. It’s ok though, it’s all meant to happen,” she says.
I try to form words, but they do not come. I’m lost. Clueless to what she is talking about.
She gets to her feet, now in front of me. Both of us, the same height. She raises her hands and swallows.
“I am sorry, Mummy.”
Her hands land on my head. Pain like lightning bolts radiate through me. Screams filled with anguish surround me. It takes a moment to realise they’re mine.
It hurts, like sharp nails piercing my brain. She grasps me tighter as I try in vain to pry her hands away, tears streaming down my face.
“It’s ok, Mummy. It’s nearly over,” her voice comforts but not enough.
White dots are forming, growing larger and brighter. My head is going to explode. The dots cover her face, I can’t see her anymore.
No, come back. Help me. Stop. Don’t do this to me.
I feel warm lips on my cheek as the brightness takes over.
“See you soon, Mummy. I love you.” Is the last thing I remember.
My eyes fly open, and I jolt upright, panting hard. I can hear my heart thumping in my ears. My hands move to my chest, working to mask the loud beating, trying to urge it to calm down.
“Thank God, she’s up,” I hear Topher’s voice. He rises from a mauve velvet couch around a glass table. It’s then I realise, I don’t know where I am. This isn’t home. The cream wall is bordered with a strip of wallpaper. A stunning mirrored clock sits right above the three-seater lounge where Topher was sitting. Two floor length white lamps frame the lounge along with two cream fabric occasional chairs. Modern and expensive. This isn’t home, that’s for damn sure.
“I was so worried. Oh my god. I thought I was gonna lose her,” he says. I look to Topher as he slides the white leather chair from the corner desk to sit by the bed. He leans closer.
“I was so worried, E. How are you feeling?” he asks.
“Okay,” I say, confused. The play button is pushed in my mind, the memories roll like a movie. The hotel, the woman, the pain. Oh god, the pain, that’s right. “Where are we?” Looking through the sheer curtains covering the large windows, I see rolling hills in the background.
“Our room. We’re still at the Chancellor,” he says. That makes sense. The room screams five stars. “I should have taken you to the hospital,” he adds.
My head snaps to him.
“No, no hospital. You did the right thing. I’m fine.” I am so glad he didn’t take me there. He knows me well enough to know I’d hate that. It was probably hard for him to resist since I passed out in the middle of a hotel lobby.
“What?” Topher screws up his face. “What are you talking about?”
“Huh?” my face mirrors his. “You said you should have taken me to the hospital. Whatever, I’m just glad you didn’t.”
“Uh, no, I ’didn’t,” he says.
“Yes, you did.” He did. I heard it.
No, I didn’t. I know better than to say that out loud to you.
My eyes are transfixed on his mouth. I heard him. He just said he didn’t. I know he did, but nothing moved. His mouth didn’t move. Not an inch or a millimetre. Nothing. Zip. Zilch. Did I hit my head when I fell? I run my hand over the back of my head, checking for a lump.
“E, are you ok?” Topher asks. I know this because his mouth moved. He said that. I must have imagined it before.
“Yeah, actually I’m feeling ok. My head doesn’t hurt anymore.” The fire from the back of my neck has gone, too.
What the fuck happened? I hear Topher again. And again, his mouth does not move.
“That,” I say. “How are you doing that?”
Topher grabs my hand to calm me. She’s lost it.
What the hell? It happened again.
“Doing what? Elita, you’re worrying me.” This time his mouth moves.
It’s frustrating. Why is he doing this now? I am already freaked out enough after everything. How long was I out for? Did he learn ventriloquism in that time?
“I don’t know what you are playing at,” I grit out. My frustration levels are shooting off the charts. “But you need to stop, please. The whole talking and not moving your lips thing is cute, but I’m not up for it today.”
That’s it, I am calling the ambulance. Fuck this, she is scaring the shit out of me. I hear Topher again.
“No, I said no hospital,” I yell. “Just be normal, for Christ’s sake.”
I said nothing about the hospital. Did she just hear what I was thinking?
I’m looking hard, he is not moving his mouth. My eyes tear up. I might be losing it, like he thinks.
Can you hear me, Elita? he asks without moving his mouth.
“Yes.” I swallow. “Of course, I can. Stop playing around.”
Elita, I am not playing around. He continues. Right now, I am thinking and you can hear me. Oh, my god. Can you hear what I am thinking right now? This is freaky.
I nod. “I can hear you,” I whisper.
“Shit E, you can hear what I’m thinking.”
“No, I can’t.” This is crazy.
“Yes, you can. Ok, let’s try this. I will think of a number between one and one thousand and you have to guess it, ok?” If this actually works, I’m gonna freak out.
“I’m already freaking the fuck out, but sure, I’ll play along,” I say. His eyes bug out.
“Ok, here goes.” He straightens himself in the chair.
Think of a really random number. One that she just couldn’t guess. Oh, my god, the pressure. Ok, maybe 315, no, no. Um... 738. Ok yeah, that’s random, 738. Ok, ready.
I bite my lip and smirk. Could this really be?
“738,” I say.
“Oh, my god you can hear me!” he squeals.
“Oh, my god, I can hear you.” My heart beats faster.
“This is awesome.” He jumps up on the bed.
“Awesome? No way. What the hell is wrong with me?”
“What happened to you in the lobby, was it a migraine?”
Before I can answer and fill him in on everything that happened today, there’s a firm knock at the door.
That must be Leo, Topher thinks.
“What, why? Why is he here?” I ask.
“Wow, this is freaky, I can’t believe you can hear me.” He shakes his head. “He said he would come back with a doctor.” He stands.
“Well, don’t answer it!” I shriek in a panic.
“What, why?”
“Cause, I can’t see him.” I jump up from the bed.
Hmm, yeah, fair enough. You look like shit.
I throw a pillow at him. “No, dumbass! Not because of that!” I sprint to the only door in the room, assuming it’s the bathroom.
He laughs. “Oh shit, I’m gonna get myself in so much trouble. He won’t just leave, trust me E.”
“Just get rid of him,” I say as I slam the door to the bathroom.
Bloody hell. Bloody hell. Bloody hell.
I hear Topher say, or think from inside the safety of the bathroom. I hope he can get rid of him. There’s no way I can go through that pain again. With what just happened between me hearing Topher’s thoughts and my passing out, I’m still trying to process it, let alone dealing with someone I don’t know who affects me so deeply.
I hear a click and the door opens, my stomach doing a somersault.
“Hey, what’s up?” Topher says as if nothing unusual has happened today. Ok, so he’s going with the nonchalant card. I bite back a grin. Then realise I’m by myself and let it take over. God, I love him.
“What’s up?” Leo’s smooth deep voice repeats, clearly not buying it. He clears his throat and continues, not waiting for an answer. “I have the doctor here as discussed.”
“Uhh, ok. Yep, I can see that. What’s up, Doc?” Topher says.
“Dr. Hutchins is here to check over Elita. May we come in?” His voice is strained. I believe his patience is dwindling with Topher’s dismissive behaviour.
Fuck fuckety fuck, what am I meant to say now? Topher must think. I am making an educated guess he didn’t just blurt that out to Leo.
“She woke up and is feeling much better. She won’t need a doctor. She’ll be fine,” Topher tries to tell him.
After a slight pause Leo finally responds. “I am glad she is feeling better. Although, due to our legal responsibilities, we still would like her to be checked over. It’s ok if she doesn’t want to use our onsite medical staff. I can always call an ambulance if you would prefer?”
My body goes rigid. Hell no.
I hear footsteps enter the room. I guess Topher let him in.
“She’s in the bathroom. She may be awhile.” Topher tries again but also says it louder, probably for my benefit. “I can call you and let you know when she is free.”
“That’s ok, we can wait.” Leo says firmly. His voice leaves nowhere to go. There is an attractiveness to him that just engulfs you. I could almost visualise Topher saluting him in response.
I slump down to the floor. Great. There’s no escaping going out there. A lump forms in my throat. I’m not sure what would be worse: The pain he caused earlier or me hearing all of their thoughts. What if they figure it out and ship me off to an asylum or to a scientific research institute and they cut my brain open?
I slap my hands on my head. Enough with the conspiracy theories, I need to get my shit together. Topher said I would be awhile. The bathroom has a spa in the corner, very tempting. They could wait while I soak a bit. Although I don’t have any clothes to change into after, so it would be kind of gross.
With both hands, I push myself off the tiles and walk to the basin. A small yelp escapes when I see the horror in front of me. Well, I may as well kill some time and fix myself up. And I’m honest enough to admit, I don’t won’t to look half bad when I see him again.
Rummaging through the drawers and the basin, I gather the supplies to fix the mess that is my face. First step, face wash. They actually have make-up remover in their little mini collection of facial products. That’s a win. I get most of my make-up off and thank my derelict biological parents as one of their genes blessed me with a clear olive complexion.
The small brush does wonders on my hair, and I drop it back down my back, hiding the tattoo. The flashback hits me hard. Leo talking about it glowing, touching it. Goosebumps shoot through my body at the thought of his hands on me. Let’s push that aside.
Feeling much better and surprisingly no pain. I hear Topher talking about nonsense and sporadic replies from the doctor, but nothing else. Living in this bathroom is not a feasible option, I eventually must come out and waiting for them to leave appears fruitless.
I might actually be back to some semblance of normal, feeling better, confident. There’s a tiny moment I wonder if sneaking out with no one noticing is an option. They all would be on the couch. That’s on the far end of the suite. The bathroom is right next to the front door. Only problem is that loyalty crap I feel for Topher. I couldn’t leave him, could I?
I draw in a deep breath and open the bathroom door. Topher is sitting on the blue lounge and an older gentleman on the armchair. No sign of Leo, which could explain the lack of pain.
Bout fucking time E, I hear Topher think.
I swallow hard. Ok, I still can hear Topher.
I can do this.
“Are you feeling better?” the familiar husky voice comes from behind the door, making me jump.
I turn and see Leo pushing off of the wall next to the bathroom.
“I was before you scaring the crap out of me.” I place my hand over my hammering heart. Let’s just pretend it’s all from him frightening me, and not that he is a sight to behold. My head is not pounding. My neck is not burning. This is the first time I really take him all in. And oh my god, Topher was right. Adonis.
“I’m sorry, I wasn’t thinking,” he says.
“It’s ok,” I choke out.
“You look better.” His eyes trail over me before settling on me. “Healthier.”
We look at each other and I realise I cannot hear his thoughts and for a beautiful moment it is silent.
Huh, she likes him. Look at her. Topher’s thoughts break my trance. Hello Elita, are you there? Let’s get this shit over with.
I turn to him and see his full-blown smile. I widen my eyes, signaling for him to relax and be quiet.
“Yeah, I’m feeling better.” I turn back to Leo. I need compo
sure and to move this along. “Thanks for your concern, but I don’t need a doctor or anything. Just some rest.”
“Maybe, but if you wouldn’t mind, can we just check? It’s a legal issue.”
It will probably be easier to agree and move this along quicker.
“Sure.” I shrug.
I walk towards the lounge where the doctor has been waiting patiently. Also, quietly, too. Either he doesn’t think, or I cannot hear him. It must only be Topher I can hear. That is weird.
“Dr. Hutchins,” Leo says. “Maybe it’s best if you take Elita into the bathroom to complete your test, for some privacy.”
Without hesitation, the doctor stands.
“Yes, sir.” He nods to Leo. “If you would like to follow me, Ms. Weatherall?”
The check-up is short, and the doctor was polite and professional. He tested all my vitals and asked me some basic health questions. I fibbed on a few of them, but again, I wanted this to be quick. No need for him to know of my regular migraines, I’ll go to my doctor as I promised I would.
We emerge from the bathroom and head toward the living area. Topher and Leo sit waiting.
“All good?” Topher asks.
“Yes, I’m fine.” I smile.
Leo ignores the both of us. “Dr. Hutchins?” he asks.
“Yes, sir, she is in no danger. Her vitals are normal. I would only prescribe some rest,” he says.
“Thank you, Doctor.” Leo stands from the sofa. “That will be all.”
So bossy, isn’t he? So good looking, too. I wonder if he... no, he is definitely into girls. Hey E, can you hear me?
I look to Topher with my face screwed up, hoping to convey yeah to him. I raise my eyebrows and wait for him to continue.
Good, listen to his thoughts and see if I am his type.
“You’re an idiot.” I can’t help replying out loud.
“Excuse me?” Leo looks taken aback.
Topher slams his hand over his mouth, trying to stop himself from laughing out loud, and I want to strangle him.
I flush. “No, not you. Sorry, I didn’t, I mean...” What the hell did I mean? If only the earth would swallow me whole right now.
